Situated at one of the most important confluences of communications routes in Spain; its enviable location in the northwestern part of the peninsula has made it an important crossroads throughout history. It lies on various pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela: the Vía de la Plata (Silver Route), Camino de Oriente (Eastern Asturias Route), Valladolid Route, Tera Valley Route and Asturias Route.

The venue for the legislative assembly in 1176, the Parador de Turismo de Benavente is located on the site of the former castle/palace of the counts of Benavente. Construction of the building began in the 12th century and it was subsequently expanded by successive occupants in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries.

The hotel is connected to the Renaissance-style Caracol Tower, the only part of the former structure to be preserved. It is also next to La Mota Gardens, Benavente's most important green space, with excellent views of the Tera and Órbigo river valleys.

The tower features a magnificent Mudejar coffered ceiling and a period bar.

In the province of Zamora, it is quite common to have tapas as an appetizer. The most popular are beef and chicken sweetbreads, tripe, pork jowls, pork skewers and dos y pingada (fried eggs and ham). You can also enjoy a wide variety of fresh fish, including trout from Sanabria Lake and crayfish. There is even fish from Galicia, as the province of Zamora is located along the delivery route to Madrid.

The most common route is via the A-6 (Madrid-A Coruña). From Ourense, Vigo and Pontevedra, you can also take the A-52 or the Ruta de la Plata (N-630). Once in town, follow signs for the Parador and/or Torre del Caracol.

Parador nearby

Parador de Santillana de...

The historic town center of Santillana del Mar is unusual in that it is only open to pedestrians. You won't see any cars, maki...